Bucket List Publications
  • Home
  • About
    • Media/PR
    • Contact Us
  • Guides
  • Gear
  • Posts
    • Videos
    • Destination
      • USA
        • Alaska
        • Arizona
        • California
        • Colorado
        • Florida
        • Georgia
        • Hawaii
        • Maine
        • Nevada
        • North Carolina
        • Virginia
      • Canada
        • Alberta
        • British Columbia
        • Manitoba
        • New Brunswick
        • Nova Scotia
        • Ontario
      • Caribbean
        • Bahamas
        • Bermuda
        • Bonaire
        • Grand Cayman
        • Jamaica
        • Haiti
        • Puerto Rico
      • Mexico
      • Central America
        • Belize
        • Costa Rica
        • El Salvador
        • Guatemala
        • Nicaragua
      • South America
        • Bolivia
        • Galapagos
        • Peru
      • Europe
        • Austria
        • Denmark
        • England
        • Germany
        • Ireland
        • Italy
        • France
        • Latvia
        • Slovakia
        • Spain
      • Africa
        • Egypt
        • Namibia
      • Middle East
        • Abu Dhabi
        • Dubai
        • Jordan
        • Pakistan
      • Asia
        • Bali
        • Cambodia
        • Gobi
        • India
        • Thailand
      • Australia
        • Queensland
      • New Zealand
      • Fiji
    • Family
    • Adventure
      • Animal Encounters
      • Bungee Jumping
      • Fighter Pilot
      • Heli Skiing
      • Helicopters
      • Paragliding
      • Riverboarding
      • Skydiving
      • Whitewater rafting
      • Ziplining
    • Reviews & Giveaways
      • Reviews
        • Hotels
  • blog

Impressions of a New City – Istanbul

By: Carlota Martins Posted in: Asia, Bucket Lists, Destination, Europe
Colurful Tea at the Spice Bazar in Istanbul

After arriving in the city I would call home for the next 5 months, I needed only to find a roof to call exactly that.

The frustrating first few days were spent in front of my computer, going through Craigslist ads – and more ads!

I walked around Istiklal street to eat and stretch my legs. I would find myself yearning for those breaks, annoyed for having to actually keep looking – glued to my computer – and especially dreaming of what this incredible city has to offer. My curiosity kept getting bigger as those long, boring days insisted on feeling like an eternity.

At last I found a place. A cheap, well located, nice and pleasant place. A place I am starting to call home.

And with that I could (finally) start exploring.

Beautiful lights in the new mosque

Beautiful lights in the new mosque

***

Just before I came I decided I needed to adjust my expectations. What if the city was nothing I expected? What if I hated Istanbul, or simply didn’t find it exciting at all? Afterall I had been dreaming and idealizing the place for years now..

Thankfully, I can joyfully say now, that while it is everything I expected, it also kind of isn’t.

On a city with around 14 million people I feel overwhelmed and stimulated, but often confused and crowded. The city is vibrant and pulsating with life. All the time.

I am finding the feeling of living in a true metropole an adjustment – but an intriguing one.

The possibilities are endless here. Istanbul has the power to either feel really comfortable and at home, or just as fast make you feel foreign and bewildered. Just like that.

The way that two worlds collide here is simply fascinating and the more you are here the more you feel it. I have been finding the culture shock as [strangely enough] an after thought – as the streets feel most of the time very european – simply with more (a lot more) people. The big differences lie in the details and so more than a shock it is mostly a surprise.

Colurful Tea at the Spice Bazar in Istanbul

Lovely tea at the Spice Bazar in Istanbul

***

Since I have arrived here in Istanbul something weird happened – I haven’t been really excited about taking photographs.

I mean, everywhere I look great opportunities for great pictures arise, but somehow I haven’t been willing to take my camera out of the bag and start shooting.
The thing is, I know I have the time – 6 months will be enough to take some pictures, but also I feel like I am missing out as soon as I only have the view-point to look through.
The bustling city is incredibly stimulating and I feel the camera limits my experience here.
Everything is so new and interesting I still don’t want to miss out on anything.
But as the novelty wears off I am more and eager to shoot my new surroundings. – I am thrilled to be living here, and I can’t wait to discover more about this unique and special city.
– Carlota
If you liked what you read check out more from Carlota at her blog (Pre)concept – Break your journey
More Lovely tea at the Spice Bazar in Istanbul
More Lovely tea at the Spice Bazar in Istanbul
Spices at the spice Bazar in Istanbul
Spices at the spice Bazar in Istanbul

Colourful spices at the bazar in Istanbul
Colourful spices at the bazar in Istanbul
Washing feet before entering the mosque
Washing feet before entering the mosque

Lovely tea at the Spice Bazar in Istanbul
Lovely tea at the Spice Bazar in Istanbul
Beautiful lights in the new mosque
Beautiful lights in the new mosque

Colurful Tea at the Spice Bazar in Istanbul
Lovely tea at the Spice Bazar in Istanbul
Beautiful lights in the new mosque
Beautiful lights in the new mosque

Istanbul's many spices
Istanbul’s many spices
Beautiful lights in the new mosque and people praying
Beautiful lights in the new mosque and people praying

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Comments

  1. Ellis Shuman says:
    September 16, 2013 at 9:38 am

    Take out your camera = Istanbul is a stunning city! I visited Istanbul a few years ago and took pictures wherever I went. Amazing!

    Reply
    • Carlota Martins says:
      September 26, 2013 at 5:00 am

      Thank you Ellis! You are right it is absolutely incredible city, and I am slowly starting to capure it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

Get more stuff like this
in your inbox

Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.

we respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously

Bucket List Publications Copyright © 2021 All Rights Reserved